Railroad-signal.



J. D. BEATTY.

RAILROAD SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4. 1916.

1,225,747., Patent-ed May15, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

J. D. BEATTY.

RAILROAD SIGNAL.

APPLICATION man MAY 4. 1916.

1,225,741 Patented May 15, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Witnesses m Inventor Attorneys JOHN D. BEATTY, 0F IVANHOE, NORTH CAROLINA.

RAILROAD-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 1917.

Application filed May 4, 1916. Serial No. 95,469.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN D. BEATTY, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Ivanhoe, in the county of Sampson and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful Railroad-Signal, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to railroad signals, and aims to provide a novel and improved mechanism for operating the whistle or other signal of a locomotive in case of emergency or danger, although the invention can be used for operating any suitable signal, or the air brakes or other train stopping means.

The invention includes a device carried by the cab of a locomotive or any other suitable part of a train, and cooperable with a tripping device located upon the track, whereby when the tripping device is set to operating position, the locomotive in passing the tripping device will cause the whistle or signal to give an alarm, thereby warning the engineer and other persons on the train of danger, whereby the train can be brought to a halt to avoid a collision or other accident.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a mechanism of the nature indicated which is extremely simple and inexpensive in construction, which can be readily installed, and which will serve its oflice in a thoroughly practical and reliable manner.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and'arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of'the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a locomotive showing the present invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the device.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the track showing the tripping device.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a U-shaped hanger 1 having its terminals attached to the bottom of the cab 2 of the locomotive, although the device can be applied to any suitable part of a train, street car, or other vehicle. A rod 3 is slidable through the limbs of the hanger 1 adj acent or upon the lower intermediate portion thereof, and is disposed longitudinally of the track. The forward end of the rod 3 is engaged with one arm of a bell crank lever d fulcrumed to a bracket 5 projecting from the forward limb of the hanger 1, and the other arm of the lever 4 is connected by a cord 6 or other suitable connection with the whistle or signal 8, said cord being passed over suitable guide pulleys 7 if necessary. The rod 3 can be connected, however, in various manners to various signals, or can be connected to the air brake system or other train stopping means, whereby when the rod 3 is slid rearwardly relative to the hangerl, the signal or train stopping means will. be operated, which ever is the case. In this connection, the whistle 8 can be taken as typical as representing any suitable signal or train stopping means. A coiled wire expansion spring 9 is disposed upon the rod 3 between the hanger 1 and lever 4, to normally move said rod 3 forwardly, whereby the signal or train stopping means 8 is in inoperative position.

A leaf spring or catch 10 is attached to the forward limb of the hanger 1 and bears upon the rod 3, and said rod is provided with an upstanding lug 11 which moves under and in rear of the spring 10 when the rod 3 is moved rearwardly, whereby the spring 10 snaps in front of the lug 11 to hold the rod 3 in rearmost position until released. The rod 3 can be released by a cord 12 or other device attached to the spring 10 and extending into the cab 2, whereby the engineer or attendant can release the rod 3 by pulling the cord 12 so as to remove the spring 10 from the lug 11, whereby the spring 9 will come into play for sliding the rod 3 to its foremost position.

In order that the rod 3 can be pulled rearwardly by a tripping device located upon the track, a curved leaf spring or resilient hook 13 is attached to the rear end of the rod 3 and projects downwardly.

The tripping device located upon the track embodies a transverse rock shaft 14; journaled in bearings 15 secured to one of the cross ties 16, and provided between the rails 17 with an upwardly offset tripping portion 18. One end of the shaft 14 has a crank 19 to which a rod 20 or similar device is connected, whereby. the tripping device can be operated from the station, signal tower, or other point to which the rod 20 extends. V

In safety or clear conditions, the tripping member 18 is swung downwardly out of the way of the spring hooks 13 of the train devices, but in case of emergency or danger, to avoid a collision or other injury, the tripping device can be brought to operative spring catch 10, so that the whistle will continue to blow until the cord 12 is pulled. The hook 13 is resilient or bendable in order that it can spring out of engagement with the member 18 after the rod 3 has been retarded a certain amount. 7

It is also possible, with the present invention, for trip members similar to the member 18 to be carried by the train, and in case that the train is stopped for any reason whatever, the brakeman or other person can attach one of the tripping members to the track at either end of the train and at a suitable distance therefrom, whereby an approaching train will be given a danger signal.

In some cases, the frame 1 can be applied to the top or sides, or any other suitable point of the cab or car, to cooperate with an overhead tripping device instead of a track tripping device.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A signal mechanism embodying a tripping device, in combination with a train carried reciprocable member having a spring Copies of this patent may be obtained for five. cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

hook engageable with the tripping device, and a signal controlled by said. member.

2. A signal mechanism embodying a rocl-z shaft having an offset tripping member, in combination with a train carried reciprocable member having a spring hook engageable with said tripping member, and a signal controlled by said reciprocable member.

3. A signal mechanism embodying a rear wardly slidable member having a spring hook to engage a trippingdevice, a signal,

and means operatively connecting the signal and said member whereby the slgnal is operated when said member is slidrearwardly.

4. A signal mechanism embodying a frame, a rod slidable therein, and having a spring hook at its rear end engageable with a tripping device, a signal, means connecting said signal and forward end of the rod whereby when the rod is slid rearwardly relative to the frame, the signal is operated,

and spring meansfor moving said rod forwardly.

5. A signal mechanism embodying a rod having a resilient hook to engage a tripping device, spring means for moving said 'od forwardly, a signal, means connecting said signal and rod whereby the signal isoper ated when the rod is moved rearwardly, and means for holding said rod When moved rearwardly.

6. A signal mechanism embodying a frame, a rod slidably carried thereby and.

having a resilient hook to engage a tripping device, spring means for moving said rod forwardly, a signal, means connecting said signal and rod whereby the signal is operated when the rod is slid rearwardly relative to the frame, a catch carried by the frame for holding the rod when moved rearwardly, and means connected to said catch for releasing it from the rod. In testimonythat I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

C. R. DAVIS, J. O. ELLIS- Washington, D. G. 

